The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has assured Nigerians that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains committed to steering the country toward greater progress and development.
Senator Bamidele gave the assurance on Wednesday during plenary at the Senate, following the defection of four senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
The senators who defected are Francis Fadahunsi and Olubiyi Fadeyi, both from Osun and Akon Eyakenyi and Aniekan Bassey, both from Akwa Ibom.
Their defection letters were read individually by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
Bamidele said the development was a testament to the growing confidence in the APC, and pledged that the party would continue working to improve the lives of Nigerians.
“The APC administration will do everything possible to ensure that Nigerians have a better lease of life,” he said.
“We realise the implications of this (the defection to the APC) and the consequences of this development.
“And the party will continue to re-engineer its own philosophy and its activities and do everything possible to ensure that we take Nigeria to the next level.
“The APC as a registered political party has left its doors open to all intending members and stakeholders in Nigeria who wish to join the party.
“And I just want to congratulate you, Mr President (Akpabio), as the leader of the party in the South-South and also in Akwa Ibom, the governor of the state and the two other senators.
“As well as your House of Representatives members have come all under the real umbrella and canopy of the APC.
“I also want to congratulate our party and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who is the leader of the party that Osun has also produced two senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, out of the three senators.
“For us, this is not about numbers. It is about further reminding us that we have a very serious job to do.
“And the fact that stakeholders within and outside of Nigeria, remain committed to the ideals of the party,” he said.
In his formal notification, Fadahunsi said that he resigned from the PDP to align with the core values of the APC.
“I promise to bring my wealth of experience to bear and ensure the victory of the APC from top to bottom,” he said.
Similarly, Fadeyi said: “My decision has not been taken lightly, but I feel compelled to do so due to the unresolved internal crises, various litigations and cases, and lack of leadership at the apex of the PDP.
“These issues have led to widespread disaffection and mistrust among members, making it very challenging for the PDP.
“It is challenging for me and for all of us to effectively serve our constituents.
“The people of my hometown, my senatorial district, and the nation at large cry out for dividends of democracy.
“Infrastructural development, quality education, accessible healthcare, and employment opportunities are priorities the APC is committed to.
“Priorities the now-fractured PDP has failed to deliver.”
“As a senator, I am committed to representing the interests of my people, but I can no longer do so under the current circumstances of violence, mistrust, and lack of leadership”.
In his remarks, Akpabio, welcomed the newly defected PDP senators into the APC fold.
